God's Delegation of Authority-use it wisely!

As Jesus stood in the judgment hall, Pilate interrogated him saying, “Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”

Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above…” (John 19:10-11)

God made man in His image. His purpose was to rule the earth like God rules the Heavens. However, God would still be all-powerful because the created can never be greater than the Creator. God made us “a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honour.” (Ps 8:5)

Since then mankind’s concept of true power has been distorted. We have forgotten that it is God who puts us in positions of influence so that we can make good decisions to benefit others, and represent the grace and nobility of God to them. We have forgotten that true power is authority exercised responsibly.

Slavery occurs when leaders become power-hungry and want prestige and wealth for themselves, but refuse to work for it. Instead they make others suffer so that they can live life in the lap of luxury. We would do well to remember that we are put in a position of power to serve, not to be a cruel taskmaster to others.

A person of true power does not boast because of his power, but recognizes that only God is all-powerful. It is this false concept of fame, position and power that is destroying our world. Business leaders look past the people, and look only for profits. When they do study how to manage people, they do it with the ulterior motive of increasing profitability! We no longer walk in truth.

We have a choice to make. Are we going to join satan’s rebellion and keep “playing god” or are we going to let God reign in our hearts, and transform us into true leaders for Him?

The novelist George Orwell wrote as follows in his satirical novel, Animal Farm: “All power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It doesn’t have to be this way. It is absolute power in the wrong hands, that causes absolute corruption. Let us not let power in our hands be like a weapon in the hands of an untrained fool, which puts everyone around us in danger.

God has given each of us a certain amount of power and influence. Pray for wisdom to rule your affairs justly. King Solomon did this and as long as He obeyed God, he was the richest and wisest king that ever lived. As soon as he started focusing on himself and letting his desires have free reign over him, his life came to ruin. The story of King Solomon has a powerful lesson for all of us. 

" And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, nor honor, nor the life of your enemies, nor yet have asked for long life but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may judge My people, over whom I have made you king;wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, nor shall any after you have the like."-2 Chron 1:10-12

Scripture Readings: Matt 16:26, 2 Chron 1:10-12, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, 1 Kings 11:1-12 (Solomon's downfall)

The Pursuance of Novelty-Part 1

As human beings made in the image of a creative and powerful God, we have the innate desire to push ourselves to the limits in our search for novel and innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of life. From the electric light bulb to the telephone, the automobile, the computer and supersonic jets that soar across the heavens, our inventions continue to change the landscape of our world as we know it.

Wise king Solomon said in Ecles 1:9 that “there is nothing new under the sun…” Yet, since his time our world has seen the greatest changes in modern technology. Most of the scientists and great intellectuals of our time are alive today! In his time, armies were considered strong if they had iron chariots-today we face the ever increasing threat of nuclear disaster!

However, some things have never changed! The age-old problem of sin hasn’t changed, and despite our best efforts we are powerless against this scourge of satan on our own. Our pursuance of novelty hasn’t changed either; in fact it is one of satan’s prime methods of propagating his end-time deceptions. He knows we are attracted to anything new and exciting, and he takes full advantage of this. In our haste to discover novel truths, we forget the importance of learning the lessons that only history can teach us. The Lord has let us choose our destiny. Since the day our first parents made their first bad decision, we have been painfully writing our history in blood, sweat and tears. What a pitiful waste if we cannot use this opportunity to look back and learn from the mistakes of our past!

Just as the importance of the subject of history is undermined at public schools, so we find that Christians are neglecting their study of the Old Testament scriptures in favour of the New Testament, saying that things have changed! Yet, the sin problem still exists. We face the same adversary as our Old Testament counterparts did, and we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8) Satan doesn’t even NEED to change his tactics because we still fall for them today! Generals and great military strategists study the work of their adversaries and the history of their nations’ battles to predict the course of future endeavours, but we as Christians fail miserably in this respect and we’re fighting a war for our very souls!

The New Testament itself says that ALL scripture is for our correction, reproof and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). There was once a time when the only scripture people had at their disposal was the Old Testament; if they had neglected to study it, would we have progressed to the extent we have today? 1 Cor 10:11 and Rom 15:4 explain that the Old Testament writings are for our learning and the same lessons will be our test in the times ahead. Just as an apprentice learns his trade from the master craftsman, let us not seek to reinvent the wheel, but let us read and learn from those who have gone before us! In respect of human affairs, there is nothing new under the sun-we know who wins the battle in the end. Therefore, let us stay true to our God!

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after."-Eccles 1:9-11

"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."-Eccles 12:12-13

"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."-1 Cor 10:11

Unlocking the Meaning of Life through Jesus Christ

Jesus said in John 10:10 that He has come to give us life and life more abundantly. For centuries, the ancients have pondered the meaning of life without coming to a holistic answer. Yet, the Bible gives us the answer we so earnestly search for.

In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon comes to the conclusion that all our strivings are often in vain and we run away from the main purpose of our lives. Fear God, and reverence Him- this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:12-13)

In life we often put the cart before the horse. We long to make a name for ourselves, to be famous, to be rich and honoured, yet Jesus says: “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto You.” (Matt 6:33)

Material possessions and great prestige without the peace of God mean nothing but leave us empty, and still pondering the meaning of life. The fairy tale stories we learned as children were not far from the truth. Good and evil DO exist. We DO have a choice. There are indeed two kingdoms- the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light. My Father is a noble King, which makes me a noble Prince/Princess and an ambassador of His Kingdom. However, my God has taught me that royalty holds greater responsibility, and in fact leads to servanthood. Jesus said: “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work.” (John 4:33-35)

The saying: “Like father, like son” does not have to have a negative connotation. Our earthly fathers have done the best they can for us. For some, that means leaving us a legacy of pain and disappointment.  Let’s rather choose to follow in the footsteps of our Heavenly Father as shown through Jesus Christ, His Son who is the visible representation on this Earth of Him whom we worship but have not yet seen.

"The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I HAVE COME SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY."-John 10:10